Lawyers call for tough laws to tackle terrorism

Justice Subhas Adi of Karnataka High Court has emphasised the need to reform the country’s legal system to fight terrorism and strengthen internal security.

Inaugurating the state-level lawyers’ conference organised by the Karnataka unit of the All India Lawyers’ Forum at Kala Bhavan here, he said stringent laws were needed to tackle terrorism.

Expressing concern over the increase in terror-related activities in the country justice Adi said it was the responsibility of every citizen to cooperate with the law enforcing authorities in maintaining internal security.

Lt Gen (retired) D B Shekatkar speaking on ‘Internal Security and Legal Challenges’ elaborated on various aspects leading to terrorist activities and said it had socio-economic and religious dimensions to it.

 

He said, cordial relations with neighbours and religious harmony could go a long way in combating terrorism. Taking a dig at the tendency of rulers to appease a section of the people for political gains Shekatkar said this would prove dangerous at a later stage.

Shekhatkar, narrating his experience as a senior officer in the defence force, said those trying to invade India were first trying to weaken it by encouraging divisive forces. “Earlier the invaders waged direct wars. Now the countries trying to overpower India are trying to weaken it from within by disturbing the economy and socio-cultural fabric. We need to be guarded about these forces. Terrorism needs to be dealt with an iron hand,” he asserted.